Until now, there has been enough anecdotal evidence signifying that the pattern of employment is indeed changing – and that new jobs are beginning to emerge in favor of greener, cleaner and more sustainable occupations. And now at a global level it is evident that green jobs are being generated in some sectors and economies.   This is in large part as a result of climate change and the need to meet emission reduction targets under the UN climate convention. This has led to changing patterns of investment flows – flows into areas from renewable energy generation up to energy …

Over the past few months, Indian government has witnessed major commotion on grounds of environmental stability and economic growth. The government has been striving to come to a consensus between the dilemma of focusing on developmental goals and simultaneously maintaining ecological balance. There is an incessant tension between those who support development and those who fight for environment protection. The two groups do not look eye to eye and with every passing day, the gap seems to be widening. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India very aptly puts it: “Choices need to be made about large projects …

The green economy embraces a vision that tries to steer economic development in the direction of sustainability. According to the current understanding of the green economy concept, one of the main elements which support the transition to a more sustainable pattern of production and consumption is Waste minimization and management. It considers different approaches from prevention, minimization, reduction, reuse, recycling, waste conversion and disposal in order to ensure that the use of materials and waste generation remains within the regenerative and absorptive capacities of the Planet. The world is being flounced over by a strong wave of urbanization. From an …

Ameliorating efficiency has become a mantra for reducing carbon emissions. The Indian government too, taking cue from developed countries, has enshrined it in the country’s climate policy. As the Planning Commission starts preparing itself to approach the 12th Five-Year Plan, the Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia identifies issues like energy and environment-friendly growth as key challenges. The logic is simple: better efficiency leads to energy savings which in turn reduce the country’s carbon footprint. The tech industry is very actively looking for solutions to be more efficient and use cleaner power. Their core business is innovation, and when applied to …

Energy security, climate change and economic development, is repeatedly stressed upon, among other things, that our government is facing harsh challenges in meeting dire energy requirements in an environmentally sustainable manner. There is a desperate need for surveying sources of energy that are not fossil fuel based since the fossil based sources cause climate change. It is because of this concern; we are falling back to generating clean energy such as biofuel, wind, nuclear, solar and hydro power. The haunting images of Japan’s nuclear power stations and the growing concern over mounting radiation levels has left us thinking about how …

India is fast emerging as a frontrunner in terms of harnessing renewable energy resources. It has been ranked No.1, on par with the US, in annual solar power generation, while it claims the fifth spot in wind power generation. India also makes it to a credible fourth position for scope, space and facilities allotted for renewable energy expansion. In its survey (ended May 2009), Mc Kinsey & Company has stated that India has an annual solar energy yield of between 1,700-1,900 kWh/KWp of installed capacity, one of the world’s highest solar intensities. As per the BP statistical review of world …

When we think of feathers, we immediately associate them with birds. Birds are the only living creatures today that grow feathers. Most birds have different kinds of feathers which are employed for purposes from as varied as flying to attracting a mate. A single bird may have from 1,000 to over 20,000 feathers and every feather is a marvel of design. Each feather is composed of a central shaft called the rachis which is flexible and remarkably strong. The rachis further branches out hundreds of barbs forming the smooth vane of the feather. These barbs contain hundreds of smaller barbules, which hook …

He calls himself a philanthropist who was always inclined towards bringing about social reforms in the country – it is this vision that has led to the foundation of two very innovative environment friendly groups – The Society of Biochar Initiatives and Earth Soul India. Ek Titli catches up with the man behind these – Mr. Perses Bilimoria. “I realized that 99.9% of living organisms are already headed towards extinction and there is a constant battle for the survival of civilizations. Hence it is very important for nature and man to be in harmony,” expresses Mr. Bilimoria. The growing human …

“Can the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” This question posed by Edward Lorenz, the man behind the Chaos Theory, later came to be more popularly known as the Butterfly Effect. To put it simply, the future is determined by present conditions. A small flap of a butterfly’s wing in one part of the world today could lead to a tornado in another time and space. Similarly, your little “flap” for the environment today may not cause an immediate effect; but its effect could have a resounding and reverberating effect for the future. …

Every urban Indian has one common nightmare : DRIVING. Once upon this used to be a pleasure, but then income grew, traffic grew and public transport refused to scale. Then there was pollution compounded with rising fuel costs, limited parking space and the persistent growling of badly maintained engines. From Delhi to Bengaluru, from Kolkata to Mumbai every urban Indian is today hesitant to get behind the wheel. And thats when you notice a small two seater with bright orange streaks on the body whizz through the streets. It has no exhaust emmisions and you wonder what’s under the hood. …